QUESTIONNAIRE
Human Rights Council resolution 24/20 requested the United Nations Independent Expert on
the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons to assess the human rights implications
of the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (MIPAA).
MIPAA was adopted at the Second World Assembly on Ageing in 2002. It requires that
States take measures to address ageing in order to achieve a society for all ages and calls for
the mainstreaming of ageing into national and global development agendas. It also contains
recommendations for action focused on three priority areas: (i) older persons and
development; (ii) advancing health and well-being into old age; and (iii) ensuring enabling
and supportive environments, which are divided into specific issues, objectives and actions.
The Independent Expert prepared the questionnaire below with the objective to collect
information about whether the implementation of MIPAA has enhanced the enjoyment of all
human rights by older persons or whether it has had a negative impact and which rights have
been affected. It also seeks to identify good practices and challenges encountered by Member
States regarding the promotion and protection of all human rights by older persons in the
implementation of MIPAA.
All information collected is intended to help the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all
human rights by older persons to elaborate her comprehensive report that will be presented to
the Human Rights Council in September 2016.
The questionnaire should preferably be completed in English, French or Spanish. Responses
to the questionnaire should be addressed to the Independent Expert, Ms. Rosa Kornfeld-Matte
and sent to olderpersons@ohchr.org, with copy to Mr. Khaled Hassine (khassine@ohchr.org)
by 31 July 2015.
Kindly indicate whether you have any objection for the responses provided to be made
available on the OHCHR website of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human
rights
by
older
persons:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/OlderPersons/IE/Pages/MIPAA.aspx
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Question 1:
What is the role of your organization? Do you participate in MIPAA implementation or
monitoring thereof?
Our organization participated through our membership in Czech Government Council for
Ageing in monitoring of MIPAA.
Question 2:
Has a human rights-based approach been integrated in the implementation framework
of MIPAA in your country and if so, how did this translate into concrete policies and
normative actions? Are there any mechanisms to monitor and assess the impact of
MIPAA implementation on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons?
Yes, we think that human-based approach is integrated in the MIPAA implementation and
this approach in monitoring time to time by Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and by
ombudsman.
Please include information on existing data, legislations, policies, programmes and
institutional mechanisms and resources allocated to respect, protect and fulfill all human
rights of older persons through the implementation of MIPAA. Please provide references and
copies/ translation of relevant instruments1.
Question 3:
Have the needs of specific groups of older persons been taken into consideration in the
process of implementation of MIPAA and if so, how?
We don’t think that there is a specific approach to some specific groups, implementation is
generally targeted all older people ( and in some case for people of all ages ) in same manner.
Specifically for older people there is a “ Nation Programme of Preparation for Ageing “
usually for the period of five years. There is also in the 2011 adopted “ Report of the
Implementation of MIPAA “ ( more exactly UNECE Regional Implementation Strategy –
RIS ) prepared by Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.
Please provide information about existing data, legislations, policies, programmes and
institutional mechanisms, and resources allocated regarding the protection and promotion of
the rights of older women, persons with disabilities, persons of African descent, individuals
belonging to indigenous peoples, persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and
linguistic minorities, rural persons, persons living on the streets and refugees, among other
groups. Please provide references and copies/translation of relevant instruments.
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For instance regarding the right to health, including primary, long-term and palliative care services; the rights
to work, to an adequate standard of living, including adequate food, clothing, housing, transportation; the right
to social security and social protection, including poverty strategies; the right to education, training and life-long
learning, including access to new technologies; the right to legal capacity and equal recognition before the law,
care and support for caregivers, among others.
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Question 4:
Have older persons been informed about MIPAA and if so, how? How are older persons
participating in the implementation of MIPAA including in decision-making about
MIPAA implementation?
There is a big problem with information in general and concerning MIPAA especially. OP
are not informed even that some MIPAA exists and thus they do not participate in the
implementation.
Please provide information about existing data, legislations, policies, programmes and
institutional mechanisms and resources allocated that ensure the full and effective
participation of older persons in decision-making regarding MIPAA implementation,
assessment and follow-up. Please provide reference and copies/translation of adopted
instruments.
Question 5:
What impact has MIPAA implementation had on equality and non-discrimination of
older persons?
We think that there is a bigger attention to both mentioned things in the Czech society but we
are not sure if it´s a merit of MIPAA only. The main achievement is that aging ( and also
gender ) become mainstream in all policy fields taking into account demographic changes
and with aim to achieve a society for all ages.
Please provide information about existing data, legislations, policies, programmes and
institutional mechanisms and resources allocated that ensure equality and nondiscrimination. Please provide reference and copies/translation of adopted instruments.
Question 6:
What impact has MIPAA implementation had on the fulfillment of the right of older
persons to an adequate standard of living?
This question is in close relation with pensions as an adequate level of pension could
guarantee adequate standard of living.. There is a progress in this time, the pensions are again
indexed by law each year ( full level of rise in prices – inflation, and one third of average
salaries raising ).
Please provide information about existing data, legislations, policies, programmes and
institutional mechanisms and resources allocated that ensure the right of older persons to an
adequate standard of living. Please provide reference and copies/translation of adopted
instruments.
Question 7:
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Please provide examples of best practices from a human rights perspective in your
country in the implementation, monitoring, review and appraisal of MIPAA.
For example adoption of “ Anti-Discrimination Act “, which unequivocally defines direct and
indirect discrimination, permissible forms of treatment and defines defences against
discrimination could be mentioned. Although the ban on discrimination is also anchored in
other legislation (Labour Code, Employment Act), the adoption of the Anti-Discrimination
Act is to unify and clarify the prohibition of discrimination in all ages.
Please explain why it is considered a best practice and provide concrete examples.
Question 8:
Please provide information about the main challenges (such as institutional, structural
and circumstantial obstacles) your country faces at the various levels of government
(communal, provincial and national etc.) to fully respect, protect and fulfill the human
rights of older persons in the implementation of MIPAA.
The main challenge is lack of information on both government and municipal levels about
MIPAA towards public, especially to older people themselves. MIPAA is mainly in the
interest of NGOs working with and for older people but they can targeted only a minority of
older population. We are missing national campaign on MIPAA conclusions and also closer
monitoring of a fulfillment of government obligations to which the government has
committed itself signing the MIPAA.
Please explain and provide concrete examples.
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